If you’re having an island built from scratch, consider adding a hideaway table to the design. The piece slides out for meals or when you need extra space for food prep, and tucks back in when not in use.

A drop ceiling, fluorescent lighting, and oversize appliances in the existing kitchen signaled the need for a major redesign. To blend the room with the living spaces, the team pushed all of the cabinetry and appliances along one long wall, creating an unencumbered flow from one end of the house to the other.